Turmeric Tea

I learned this recipe from the Kauai locals and it's incredible! I love the taste - it's a little bit like ginger. Turmeric contains circumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties...and MANY more (see below)!

RECIPE:

1/2 c grated fresh turmeric root

8 cups water

1/2 c raw honey

4 lemons

a few black peppercorns (see below for why)

Directions:

Simmer the turmeric and black peppercorns in the water for 20 minutes. Strain through cheese cloth (I use a paint strainer bag from your local hardware store). Stir in the honey while it's warm. Squeeze the lemons and add some ice. Enjoy!

FACTS ABOUT TURMERIC:

Your liver regenerates every 90 days, and my liver has been doing poorly since I first tested it in 2007. In trying to help boost my liver, I've been learning a lot about turmeric's connection with the liver.

1. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory compound. In a study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was even more effective than an anti-inflammatory drug.

2. Curcumin happens to be a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure. But curcumin also boosts the activity of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes.

3. Curcumin May be Useful in Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s Disease

4. Studies Show That Curcumin Has Incredible Benefits Against Depression

{1.-4. Source}

5. It's been shown to repair and regenerate liver tissue (read the study here)

86 studies show that turmeric (and circumin) protect the liver against a wide range of chemical and drug exposures, 26 preclinical studies (here) show that turmeric kills liver cancer cells and tumors -- they're actually using it in place of chemotherapy for liver tumors (see here)

WHY PEPPER?

Why include pepper? Black peppercorns contain piperine… a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2000%

It may be hard to find turmeric root, I'd suggest asking your natural grocers or whole foods to carry it. That's what I'm planning to do when I get back to the mainland!

1. A L Cheng, C H Hsu, J K Lin, M M Hsu, Y F Ho, T S Shen, J Y Ko, J T Lin, B R Lin, W Ming-Shiang, H S Yu, S H Jee, G S Chen, T M Chen, C A Chen, M K Lai, Y S Pu, M H Pan, Y J Wang, C C Tsai, C Y Hsieh. Phase I clinical trial of curcumin, a chemopreventive agent, in patients with high-risk or pre-malignant lesions. Anticancer Res. 2001 Jul-Aug;21(4B):2895-900. PMID: 11712783